LONDON Tube drivers have today announced a walk-out during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday.
The move is set to bring absolute chaos to the capital amid the four-day bank holiday in early June.
Staff who are members of the RMT Union say they'll stop working at Euston and Green Park stations on Friday, June 3, and have threatened the walk out over bullying allegations and a “toxic working environment”.
Both stations will be key transport points for the tens of thousands of visitors heading to the city for the celebrations as Green Park is the nearest station to Buckingham Palace.
The strikes are planned to last the entire day.
They will affect Victoria, Jubilee and Piccadilly line services at both stations. National Rail services at Euston will not be affected.
Brits have angrily labelled the union "disgusting" and "despicable", as one person said they had "absolutely no sympathy" with workers in a post on Twitter.
"Union and workers – despicable behaviour. Do better," they wrote.
Another chimed in saying: "Just horrible… holding the country to ransom when we should be celebrating.
"Vile. Nurses don't strike despite their working conditions."
Read our Royal Family live blog below for the latest updates…
- Louis Allwood
Prince Harry ‘unrecognisable’ to Royal family as he ‘can’t seem to stop talking’ to press
Prince Harry has become almost ‘unrecognisable’ to his family according to a royal expert as he ‘can’t seem to stop talking’ to press.
Since Meghan Markle and Harry finalised their royal exit with a move across to the states, the Duke of Sussex has used the press to his advantage and has wanted to “blabber to the press” about his experience.
Speaking to 60 Minutes Australia, royal author Tina Brown discussed Harry’s contradicting attitudes towards the media.
The host Liam Bartlett said: “He’s a strange mix, isn’t he, on one hand, he has this pathological hatred of the press and on the other hand, he’s quite happy to use them to seal the entertainment deals, to do the headline interviews, to promote his book”.
Ms Brown said: “It’s certainly a paradox, that a man who kept saying all he wanted was privacy, now can’t seem to stop talking.
“I think that is baffling to his family”.
She added: “In fact, one of the things, I heard constantly from within the Royal Family, people, they said, like we don’t recognise Harry.
“We don’t understand, you know, why he’s doing this, we don’t understand it”.
- Milica Cosic
Thank you for reading my coverage today. Louis Allwood will now be picking up this blog until 10pm tonight.
- Milica Cosic
Kate & William's intimate moment during Caribbean tour
IN MARCH, Prince William and Kate Middleton went to the Bahamas for their Caribbean royal tour.
Months later, royal fans are being treated to an intimate moment between the pair, which has gone viral on Tik Tok.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were filmed putting on a rare public display of affection.
Jimmy Rex, from the US, shared the clip on the social media site as they walked through their hotel before leaving the Bahamas, writing: 'This couple staying in the Bahamas had 35 security guards.'
Eagle-eyed fans have reacted to the footage and saw the royal couple holding hands.
One person commented: 'What a couple,' as another gushed: 'Aww they look so relaxed.'
A third fan remarked: 'Lovely to see them holding hands.'
- Milica Cosic
Kate hosts Buckingham Palace garden party with Sophie & Edward
Kate Middleton and the Earl of Wessex were pictured today attending a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in London.
Despite her absence today, the royal garden parties usually hosted by the Queen.
With Camilla and Charles heading to Canada, hosting duties for today (May 18) have been passed on to Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Palace confirmed.
She is joined by Prince Edward and Sophie – the Earl and Countess of Wessex – and the Queen's cousin, Princess Alexandra.
There will be a following party on the Wednesday on May 25.
- Milica Cosic
Major royal spotted catching the Tube
A MAJOR royal was spotted riding the Tube this week – and they even chatted with fellow commuters on the Jubilee Line.
Prince Edward proudly travelled on the brand-spanking-new aspect of the London Underground on Monday.
He had joined the Queen as she celebrated the opening of the purple line, named in her honour, at Paddington Station yesterday.
The Earl of Wessex, 58, joined fellow Londoners on the new Elizabeth line after celebrating winners of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold award.
A spokesman for the Royal Family confirmed the Earl was on the underground, saying: "It’s not uncommon for him to catch the tube."
The also royal proudly watched on as his mother topped up her Oyster card and bought a Tube ticket during her surprise appearance on Tuesday.
- Milica Cosic
The Platinum Party at The Palace line-up so far
The Platinum Jubilee will take place from Thursday June 2, 2022 across the whole weekend, and the concert at Buckingham Palace will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022.
It will be a mix of rock artists, pop singers, and a full live orchestra – including 3D-projections across the palace and an in-person audience. The show will be broadcast live on BBC One.
Over the next few weeks it is expected more performers from across the arts, including theatre and film, will be announced as part of The Queen's celebrations.
Here's the line-up of who will be performing so far:
- Kirsty Young – hosting the concert
- Roman Kemp – Making the announcement on The One Show, Roman Kemp, 29, said he would also be hosting the event
- Diana Ross – On May 18, 2022 it was announced that Diana Ross will headline the big event
- George Ezra – The 28-year-old singer was the first musician to be announced for the concert, releasing a statement sharing the good news
There will also be celebrity royal reporters across the UK covering this historic celebration. The presenters are:
- Jermaine Jenas live from Buckingham Palace
- Gethin Jones live from Wales
- Carol Kirkwood live from Scotland
- Holly Hamilton live from Northern Ireland
Meghan’s 'something blue'
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary tomorrow.
It has been revealed that Meghan’s 'something blue' on her wedding day was a piece of fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Harry
Commenting on this, body language expert Darren Stanton, speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino said: “This hidden detail was probably intended to be a private gesture between Meghan and Harry to remind the couple of the early days of their relationship.
"It reflects the attention to detail the couple have and shows how much they value nostalgia, with its inclusion no doubt evoking for Meghan all the reasons why she was getting married.
“In psychology, we call this an anchor – a sight, sound, music or sound for example can transport us back to a certain memory in time, evoking all the emotions, thoughts and feelings of that particular time.”
Harry & Meg ‘concerned’ about children being ‘digital experiments’
PRINCE Harry and Meghan have revealed they are “concerned” about Archie and Lilibet being “digital experiments” in a “world of hatred and harm”.
It came as the Duke of Sussex yesterday helped to launch an “online safety toolkit” for children.
Harry spoke at the online event titled Making Child Online Safety a Reality with young people around the world – and shared his fears in regard to his kids.
The Duke told those tuned in that he hopes 18-month-old Lilbet and Archie, three, will “never have to experience the internet as it exists now”.
The dad-of-two explained: “As parents, my wife and I are concerned about the next generation growing up in a world where they are treated as digital experiments for companies to make money and where things like hatred and harm are somehow normalised.”
Tiara worn by Diana on wedding day to go on display
The tiara worn by Princess Diana on her wedding day will go on display to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
It will be part of a display of the UK's largest exhibition of tiaras in 20 years.
Some 50 glittering treasures of aristocratic and royal provenance, many seen for the first time in public in decades, will be on view as part of Sotheby's' Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
- Milica Cosic
Explained: Who is Lady Louise Windsor?
Lady Louise, who is 14th in line to the throne, is the daughter of the Queen's youngest child, Prince Edward, and his wife, Sophie Rhys-Jones.
Lady Louise was born prematurely on November 8, 2003, at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey and was delivered by emergency C-section.
She was born with the eye condition esotropia and had a procedure to correct her vision at 18 months, which failed, and was repeated in 2014.
She attended school in Windsor before moving to an Ascot school near to her parents' home, Bagshot Park.
Louise also enjoys carriage driving and reportedly learnt the art from her grandfather, Prince Philip.
Louise is 16th in line to the throne, behind her younger brother James, as they were both born before the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which officially ended the centuries-old rule that male offspring take precedence over females.
- Milica Cosic
'Overtired' Queen taking duty 'one day at the time'
A royal expert has urged the Queen to take her duties "one day at a time" as he is concerned that she is "overtired".
Royal expert Robert Jobson said: "It's always she's run a half marathon or something fancy she's managed to do a short engagement and she's done it really well, she's clearly on top form.
"But a lot of people rally in situations and they get overtired.
"So we have just gonna allow the Queen one day at a time and she feels good one day, and she wants to do the job and it's an important job. Yes, go for it.
- Milica Cosic
William & Kate win UK's 'love' with 'unprecedented' move
Prince William's "authentic" actions which defied royal protocol earlier this week have "cemented the nation's affection" towards him and Kate Middleton, according to a body language expert.
The Duke of Cambridge broke protocol during an engagement in Scotland, and was photographed hugging 66-year-old William Burns.
According to body language expert Darren Stanton, a similar move represented a "real authentic connection" between the royal and Mr Burns.
Speaking to Goodto.com, the expert also said: "You can see the sincerity in William’s face as he engulfed his arms around the man, with the prince not fazed about being in such close proximity."
Mr Stanton added the move gives an indication of the type of ruler William will become when he ascends the throne.
He said: "The hug demonstrates that William and Kate do truly care about people and do not take their privileged position for granted."
- Milica Cosic
The Royal family's favourite games you can play during the Jubilee
With the Jubilee celebrations in full swing, the team at SudokuCraze can reveal the Royal family’s favourite games to play in their spare time, from Charades to table tennis:
- The Queen – It has been widely reported that Queen Elizabeth II is incredibly fond ‘The Name Game’ in which players must write the names of famous people or characters on a post-it note to place on another players forehead.
- William & Kate – During an interview with Radio Marsden, Prince William revealed that there are two popular board games in the Cambridge household – Monopoly and Risk.
- Meghan Markle – Meghan Markle is apparently highly talented at Charades as a result of her acting skills.
- Prince Harry – Prince Harry has had a famous love for polo from a young age.
- Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall – Whilst the royals all partake in different sports and games during engagements, the Duchess of Cornwall has been known to try her hand at table tennis and ping pong on numerous occasions
Theresa May's ex-adviser warns Charles is 'in danger of becoming too political'
Theresa May's former adviser, Nick Timothy, wrote in the Telegraph: "As we contemplate that change, the spectre of politics haunts the monarchy.
"For expectations are changing. Where once members of the Royal Family could remain reserved, distant, even aloof, today they are expected to emote and opine.
"Just as businesses, charities and other institutions are pressured to comment on just about everything, and bring about social change through adherence to disputed political beliefs and theories, so will the monarchy.
"And regardless of public pressure, some royals will want to do so."
Philip’s fury at Sussexes over Megxit demands
The Sussexes choices and demands around Megxit led Prince Philip to exclaim, “What the hell are they playing at?”, a royal author has claimed.
Royal expert and author, Andrew Morton, has said that Prince Phillip was not pleased when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed that they would be stepping back from royal duties.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Mr Morton claimed: “In 2019, Harry told the Queen that he and Meghan wanted to step back as senior royals, raise funds privately and yet still serve the monarchy — albeit in a limited capacity.
“The Queen’s initial reaction was that it was almost impossible to be half in and half out of the Royal Family; it was akin to being ‘slightly’ pregnant.
“Later, Prince Philip’s indignant response to the couple’s declaration of independence was: ‘What the hell are they playing at?’”
- Joseph Gamp
The Queen left Windsor for the first time in seven weeks yesterday
Attending the opening of the Elizabeth Line was a surprise for all inviolved.
Though the organisers were told there was a possibility she may attend the opening, it wasn’t confirmed.
Due to mobility concerns from her doctors, the 96-year-old has remained in the Windsor area for almost two months.
The last time the Queen was seen outside of Windsor was for the Duke of Edinburgh‘s memorial service in Westminster Abbey seven weeks ago.
- Milica Cosic
BREAKING: Chaos for Queen’s weekend of celebrations as tube walkout announced
LONDON Tube drivers have announced a walk-out during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee bank holiday.
The move will bring chaos to the capital amid the four-day break in early June.
It comes after staff in the RMT Union threatened to walk out of Euston and Green Park stations on Friday, June 3 over bullying allegations and a “toxic working environment”.
The strikes will last the entire day.
They will affect Victoria, Jubilee and Piccadilly line services at both stations. National Rail services at Euston will not be affected.
- Joseph Gamp
Crochet experts craft post box decorations ahead of Platinum Jubilee celebrations
The UK's crochet experts have picked up their hooks to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee – recreating the monarch and her corgis in miniature to sit on top of post boxes across the country.
Keen crocheters have decorated their communities with bejewelled crowns and googly-eyed versions of the Queen's Guard to mark her 70 years on the throne.
Jasmine Colley, 27, dedicated six weeks to her Jubilee-themed creation, which she displayed on a post box near her home in Harwich, Essex.
The design features a purple and gold crown flanked by one of the Queen's corgis and the monarch herself, sporting a matching purple dress and hat.
"It is so admirable that the Queen is the longest reigning female monarch of all time," Ms Colley, a customer master data lead, told the PA news agency.
"I loved (the process). I spend all my spare time crocheting, it's so nice driving past and seeing people looking at it.
"I even have a little competition going locally to get people involved if they choose to. All they have to do is share and take a selfie with 'the Queen' for a chance to win their own crochet Queen.
"It's so nice to see the community getting involved especially when we were all locked down for so long. I can't wait to see the town all decorated and the street parties in action in June."
Keen crocheters have decorated their communities with crowns andversions of the Queen's GuardCredit: PA - Joseph Gamp
Who are the royals that can step in for the Queen?
As the monarch nears a century of age, she’s begun delegating more.
Prince William flew to the UAE on her behalf this weekend, and Prince Charles and Camilla flew to Canada today for a three-day tour.
With Meghan and Harry no longer senior royals, who can step in to help out?
According to the Regency Act 1937, the monarch can empower the next four in line to the throne who are over 21.
That would be Prince Charles, William, Harry and Prince Andrew. With the latter two no longer seniors, it seems Prince Edward and an unknown would be called upon.
This is the same act that would put the Duchess of Cambridge in charge, if something happened to Charles, William and Harry before George was old enough to take the throne.
- Joseph Gamp
What will happen on Day Two of Charles & Camilla's Canada tour?
During the second day of their tour the couple will attend a wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Wednesday and visit the Assumption School where Charles will meet newcomer families and Camilla attend a youth literacy event.
Later Charles will meet those helped by the 30 Birds Foundation, dedicated to safeguarding the future of a group of 450 Afghans predominantly schoolgirls, and attend a Prince's Trust engagement at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Charles and Camilla were welcomed by prime minister Justin Trudeau when they arrived in Canada at the start of their three-day tour and the prince will again meet with Canada's premiere.
The day will end with an evening reception at Rideau Hall hosted by the Governor General Mary Simon to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
- Joseph Gamp
Charles and Camilla celebrate Canada's culture
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall celebrated the culture, crafts and people of Canada as they poured themselves pints of beer made from icebergs thousands of years old.
Cheers went up around a brewery in St John's, on Canada's east coast, as they added the final drops to the drinks and the duchess announced it was "very good" while sipping her pint.
The water used to make the unique beer comes from icebergs which migrate seasonally to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The stop to quench their thirst came at the end of a busy first day in the province on Tuesday when the prince and duchess met many Canadians.
Charles and Camilla also tried their hand at rug hooking, where discarded material is cut into strips and used to make practical and decorative items like mini tapestries or table mats, during their first day in Canada.
Instructor Catherine McCausland put the couple through their paces threading the pieces of material through a hessian type cloth and the duchess looked over at her husband and said "you're much better than me".
The future king pulled a face and laughed as he grappled with the task after the couple had met budding business owners In the Quidi Vidi Village artisan studios, where craft entrepreneurs are taught all aspects of creating a successful company.
- Louis Allwood
Prince William wears face mask as he visits United Arab Emirates
Prince William wears a mask as he visits the United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Queen.
He was there to pass on her condolences following the death of the country’s ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
He died on Friday aged 73.
The Duke of Cambridge also paid his respects to the UAE’s new president and ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Other world leaders, including PM Boris Johnson, also travelled to the UAE’s Mushrif Palace.
- Louis Allwood
Meghan and Harry ‘still pushing for royal life’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are “still pushing for royal life”, a royal expert has claimed.
PR expert Lina Citreon discussed the Sussexes’ lifestyle choices with Christina Garibaldi on the latest episode of Royally Us.
Speaking on Royally Us, host Christina Garibaldi said: “They [Harry and Meghan] are one of the most recognisable couples in the world but they also wanted to straddle that royal life.
“You know, when they were told they couldn’t, they’re still using their HRH titles and things, so it seems like they’re still pushing the royal life but don’t really want to be associated with it either”.
PR expert Lida said: “One of the things we’ve learnt is you sometimes don’t get to have it both ways.
“When you think about royal life and pageantry of the institution, there’s lots of rules that come with that and there’s protocols and there’s rewards.
“But celebrity also has rules and protocols and rewards, it also has a lot of risk, being handled is different, being managed is different.”
- Louis Allwood
Kate Middleton beats Meghan Markle to be named Instagram’s most popular Royal
New research shows how Kate Middleton is the most popular member of the Royal family among Instagram users.
Online casino Slingo looked at the amount of times the names of Royals have been used in hashtags on the photo sharing platform to determine who was being referenced the most by users.
The results showed the Duchess of Cambridge was the most popular on Instagram with nearly 1.5 million tags.
She was closely followed by the Queen at 1.3 million while Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, came in third.
- Louis Allwood
Prince Philip’s fury at Sussexes over Megxit demands
The Sussexes choices and demands around Megxit led Prince Philip to exclaim, “What the hell are they playing at?”, a royal author has claimed.
Royal expert and author, Andrew Morton, has said that Prince Phillip was not pleased when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed that they would be stepping back from royal duties.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Mr Morton claimed: “In 2019, Harry told the Queen that he and Meghan wanted to step back as senior royals, raise funds privately and yet still serve the monarchy — albeit in a limited capacity.
“The Queen’s initial reaction was that it was almost impossible to be half in and half out of the Royal Family; it was akin to being ‘slightly’ pregnant.
“Later, Prince Philip’s indignant response to the couple’s declaration of independence was: ‘What the hell are they playing at?'”
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